Public Transport in Queenstown

How to get around in Queenstown.

Getting around Queenstown is super easy with a wealth of options such as public buses, taxis, airport shuttles, track shuttles, ski field shuttles and water taxi. The public buses have the most extensive public transport service in Queenstown is the most affordable way of getting around.

While most shuttles and transport to/from Wanaka, for instance, must be paid and booked in advance, the public buses are either paid with cash when you get on the bus or with a GoCard (see below). Pricing is based on your end destination.

So follow our guide to public transport in Queenstown to see how to get around the “Adventure Capital of the World”!

Queenstown’s GoCard

The GoCard is a way of paying for Queenstown’s public transport without rummaging for change. More to the point, the GoCard makes any trip on the Queenstown public buses only NZ$2. This card is only worth getting if you are planning on staying in Queenstown a while, as you have to buy the card for NZ$5 and be topped up with a minimum of NZ$10. There is also the option to have seven days of unlimited travel (excluding Wanaka) for NZ$47 on your GoCard.

All you need to do with the prepay smart card is load it up with some money and swipe your way on and off the Queenstown buses on the electric card readers.

You can buy and load up your GoCard at from your coach drivers (pay by cash only) or at our Camp Street kiosk, Queenstown Lakes District Council and Otago Regional Council offices (pay by cash or Eftpos).

Bus Services Between Queenstown and Wanaka (via Cromwell)

Bus services with Ritchies run five times a day between Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell, all via Queenstown Airport. Three of the trips are direct, the rest go via Cromwell.

Accommodation drop-offs can be arranged when booking but “out of town” pick-ups/drop-offs can incur an extra charge. There is also the option to be picked up/dropped off in Arrowtown. The price is NZ$23 one-way (or NZ$40 return). Note that bookings are essential.

Taxis in Queenstown

Taking a taxi in Queenstown is a good option when the bus services are no longer running on an evening or if your destination is far from the bus route. Otherwise, it is not the most cost-effective method of public transport in Queenstown. Taxi starting prices are usually around NZ$5 and are on average NZ$4 per kilometre. Taxi companies in Queenstown include:

Airport Transfers in Queenstown

By Bus

Take Bus 11 to Queenstown with prices starting from NZ$4.50 (depends on destination). See bus route above. Airport to Wanaka/Arrowtown/Cromwell can be organised with Ritchie Connectabus and Alpine Connexions – see bus services between Queenstown and Wanaka above.

By Taxi

Taxi services run from Queenstown to anywhere in the area. See “Taxis in Queenstown” section above.

By Shuttle

Super Shuttle off a door-to-door service at usually a discounted price for multiple people. Buckley Transport and Tracknet take people from Queenstown Airport straight to the many hiking tracks in the nearby national parks.

Shuttles to Tracks and Ski fields

Because Queenstown is a hub for adventure activities, there are plenty of public transport options to get to those hard-to-reach hiking tracks, such as the Routeburn Track, Milford Track, Holllyford Track, Kepler Track, etc. Shuttle services need to be booked in advance from the following companies:

info&track

Tracknet

Glenorchy Journeys

Buckley Track Transport

Go Orange

Bus and shuttle services to the ski fields of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Cardrona and/or Treble Cone with the following:

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